Mama Monday: Interview with Anna of Silly Rhino

It's Monday and that means another interview with a mompreneuer! This week are are talking to Anna, the owner and founder of Silly Rhino. Silly Rhino is one of the newest and hottest kids' subscription boxes out there!!!For only $33.99, this box is a wonderful value each month!

As soon as I had my first
child, I knew I wanted the safest, high quality and, at the same time, fun toys
and things surrounding him. We have always tried to be an eco-friendly
household, but more so after we had children. My husband and I live in a typical
medium sized town in Louisiana together with our boys - Luka, who is 3.5 years
old and Sergi, who is 2. Most shopping here is done at a few typical big-box
stores, found in every town in America and sometimes I did not feel that I
could find a good selection of such safe and high quality things for my sons.

I am a researcher by nature.
Before any important decision, trip or purchase, I put in hours of research
until I feel comfortable that I know enough. So, naturally, when it came to my
children, my researcher nature went into overdrive - after I put children to
bed, I spent my nights online, exploring number of web-sites, weeding through
all the choices and reading countless reviews. I felt that this might be
overwhelming for new parents, who are sleep deprived, don't have enough time
and energy to do all this research, but still want safe, well-built and cool
toys, gear and other things for their children, all while getting a good value.
So I decided to create a service for parents - they can enjoy their time with
their kids while we do all the work for them, and they can be assured that once
a month they will receive a curated selection of trusted, quality products that
are fun for kids. We strive to introduce families to brands that are not widely
available at their local stores, we are a discovery service after all.

2.
How do you balance work and family?

I
will be honest - it is not easy. Running a successful business is rewarding in
all aspects, but it takes long hours and a firm commitment. I feel like a good
support system is paramount and my husband has been my rock in this endeavor (I
cannot go without mentioning his mad graphic skills here, all the informational
cards included in each box that everybody likes so much are his handy work). My
children are also so helpful in market research, they make excellent critics.
So, when we are trying out a test toy, or reading a book together to see if
it might be a good fit for our subscribers, it does not feel like I am working. I
am spending fun time with my boys, all while, unbeknownst to them, putting
together kid-tested boxes. Shhh, don't tell them, or they might demand a
salary.

3.
What advice would you give to other women starting their own company?

Set a
goal and commit to it. There will be people every single day who tell you that
you can't do it, or other days it will feel like some obstacles are impossible
to overcome. Put it in perspective - if that obstacle is the worst thing that
ever happened to you in your entire life, wouldn't you still be a lucky person?
See, when you look at it that way, doesn't feel so grim after all, does it?

4.
Who has inspired you most?

My
children are my inspiration every single day. When I'm overwhelmed, upset or
tired, all I have to do is think about them, it takes just a fraction of a
second - I remember a tone of their voice, or an expression on their faces from
that morning, and it helps me concentrate on a big picture. After all,
everything I do is all for them.

My
husband and I lovingly called Luka our “silly monkey” from the day he was born.
He quietly waited and waited, plotting his revenge. One day, when he could take
no more, he surprised us and, all of a sudden, blurted out in response, “no,
silly mama rhino”, followed by all the animals he could list. Well, he could
barely speak at that point and, obviously, rhino is not one of the first choice
words for toddlers, but from that day on, “silly rhino” became his favorite
phrase and he bestowed that honor only onto the very special, select
people.

​​ Silly Rhino subscription box service holds that very special place in my
heart, so it is only fitting that it carries the name.

6. Is
there any exciting news about your business that you want to share?

Absolutely!
We try to bring new and exciting things to our subscribers all the time. I am
so happy to say that your blog readers are first to find out that Silly Rhino
will offer baby shower boxes in the very near future. It will be full of
exceptional and unique items, and anybody will be proud to gift the box to a
mommy-to-be in their lives. We promise nobody will have anything like it at the
baby shower!